Kerouac, Jack

Last Words & Other Writings

n/p: Zeta Press, 1985. First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. Signed by (presumed) publisher to R.J. Ellis. A collection of miscellaneous writings by Jack Kerouac, Founding Father of the Beat Generation. All eleven "The Last Word" columns Kerouac published during 1958-1961 in Escapade magazine are gathered here chronologically, as well as some of his widely-published & more obscure essays including the classic "Essentials of Spontaneous Prose" & a short autobiography-bibliography. This is an unofficial, i.e. bootleg production, with no information except a "copyright" date of 1985 by Zeta Press. Rod Anstee's bibliography, Jack Kerouac: The Bootleg Era (see our item No. 1209) notes that "500 copies of this essential collection of scattered Kerouac writings were produced in the UK" during November of 1985 (No. 37, pg. 16). On the title page is this cursive hand-written inscription in blue ink: "For Dick Ellis,/ a good friend,/ (signed) Dave Morse (or Moore?)/ 6-8-08." We presume Mr. Morse(Moore?) to be the publisher, & "Dick Ellis" we are certain is R(ichard) J. Ellis, a British academician & scholar who wrote a compact biography of Kerouac published in 2009 (see item No. 4335). Chapbook-style booklet in stapled wrappers. A very rare (albeit likely unauthorized) Kerouac collectible that conveniently gathers some of his harder-to-obtain writings, with significant association & provenance. In very fine condition with only very slight rubbing, fading & a few short, faint creases to front, esp. back covers & stapled spine; a few tiny bumps at edges & corners of same. Interior very fine with only miniscule bumps at corners of some page leaves. Very Fine. [Item #4390]

Price: $60.00 save 30% $42.00